From the
side, the F-150 features a new profile that will carryover to the rest
of the F-Series lineup. It consists of a waterline from front to rear,
and is used as a visual body separation around the exterior. It will help
when differentiating between the models, such as with the addition of
a two-tone paint treatment or other visual cues.

The other
feature that instantly identifies the new F-Series from the side is the
drop in the beltline at the driver’s door. Even the Super Cab features
the dropped styling cue. The glass is also nearly flush with the doors,
and the doors sport pull-through type door handles for easy access, even
when the grabber is wearing thick work gloves.

The new F-150
features four doors standard on all models, and the rear-swinging access
doors on all but the SuperCrew provide good access to the rear cabin space,
but more about that later.

The good
news is that there are no exterior handles or visible hinges on the rear
doors for a cleaner look. To finish the side view, bench-shaped or tubular
running boards are available.

Behind the
passenger cabin is a new box design, which comes in a variety of configurations.

The Styleside
box is available in three lengths: 8, 6.5, and 5.5 foot, the latter of
which helps with garagability. The new 6.5-foot Flareside box is available
on STX, XLT, and FX4 models, and features SMC exterior panels with interior
steel. Black footpads and outside cargo hooks finish the Flareside box
package. The badge on the rear also steps up from 5 to 9 inches, and is
proportional to the new, larger tailgate. For 2004, the beds have been
enlarged by 2 inches, with an inch added at the bottom and another at
the top. The total cargo volume of the 6.5-foot box is 65 cubic feet,
which is almost 12 percent better than the ’03 model, 13 percent
larger than the Chevy Silverado, and a whopping 42 percent larger than
found inside the Tundra’s cargo box.

And while
a larger box means a bigger tailgate, lifting and dropping the gate is
easier than ever, thanks to the new Tailgate Assist feature. Tailgate
Assist is a first in the segment, and it works so well, expect to see
it on all new Ford products with a tailgate. A torsion bar is built inside
the tailgate, and is designed to twist as the gate is lowered or raised,
bearing some of the weight. Instead of the usual 34 lbs of effort required
to lift the gate, the Tailgate Assist limits it to around 18 lbs of effort;
and it works exceptionally well, making the tailgate feel as if it’s
made of aluminum instead of steel. Because Ford listens to its current
owners, the tailgate is still completely removable, too.

Although
a lot of the styling was done with computer-aided design, Ford designers
still work in clay in order to get a feel for what the truck is like in
a three-dimensional setting and to evoke an emotional reaction. Clay models
help the designers win final approval from the executives, and a lot of
time is spent on making them look as good as possible. The clay models
are dressed in Dynoc, a kind of clay wallpaper that simulates the final
paint. It allows the designers and the internals a chance to get a more
realistic feel for the product, as well as decide which colors to offer
when the truck goes into production. You can see how easy it is to cover
the clay with the Dynoc for a “finished” look.

Making a
clay model takes time and money, and some manufacturers have stopped making
them altogether to save a few bucks, instead relying solely on CAD. But
for Ford, because of the importance of the F-Series, there was no question
that clay would be used for both the exterior and interior design studies.

Interior
Styling, or, Alright, Who Kidnapped the BMW Designer?

Whether or
not you think the exterior designers went far enough with the F-150’s
new body, that won’t be the question with the interior. The 2004
F-150 is available in Regular Cab, SuperCab and SuperCrew models, which
means there will be plenty of room inside whether you use it alone or
with the gang.

Looking more
like a luxury vehicle than a truck, the inside of the F-150 is stylish,
contemporary, and striking. Ford describes it as modern, precise and industrial.
Jim Smithbauer, who, as the design manager for appearance and craftsmanship
played a big role in creating the new interior, felt it was about time
the interior of the truck received as much attention as the exterior.
Truck drivers put an average of 45,000 miles a year on their trucks, and
were looking for a pleasant environment as well as good comfort.

”People
are spending more and more time in their trucks these days both for work
and personal use, but have just come to expect that they have to live
with a basic interior. Our inspiration was that a truck can be comfortable
but still be a Tough Truck,” said Smithbauer.

“The
interior of this truck really elevates the standard in the pickup world,”
he continues. “The FX4 and Lariat will wow truck customers. Details
like the flow-through console and the floor shifter will change people’s
expectations of comfort and refinement possible in a truck.”